Retirement Gap Simulator

Enter your numbers, move the sliders, and see whether you're on track to retire — with a plain-language verdict and a prioritized action plan.

Educational tool only. This is a simplified model for learning, not financial advice. It uses nominal returns, ignores taxes, fees, inflation, and Social Security. Talk to a qualified financial professional about your situation.

Your numbers

Current age Current retirement savings Total across 401(k), IRA, brokerage — whatever is earmarked for retirement. Annual gross income Used to estimate how much you'll need each year in retirement.

Scenario sliders

Monthly contribution What you (plus any employer match you count) put toward retirement each month.

$750

Retirement age

Expected annual return Nominal (before inflation). Stock-heavy portfolios have averaged ~7% after inflation historically; 5–7% is a sober planning range.

Retirement spending target Percent of your current income you expect to spend each year in retirement. 80% is the classic rule of thumb.

80%

Your projection

$—

Projected nest egg at 65

$—

Estimated need (25× spending)

$—

Gap

0% of estimated need funded

Projected savingsEstimated need

Your prioritized action plan

Assumptions behind the math

Growth compounds monthly at your expected return. "Need" = 25× your target annual retirement spending (the 4% withdrawal rule of thumb).
Returns are nominal (not inflation-adjusted); contributions stay flat — no raises modeled.
Ignores taxes, investment fees, employer-match details, pensions, and Social Security.
Conservative beats precise: if you're borderline, plan as if returns come in 1–2% lower.

Go Deeper with the Book

The simulator shows the gap. Retirement Made Simple by Kimani Upshur, M.Ed. shows the whole system — saving, investing, and retiring with confidence, in plain language.

Get Retirement Made Simple — $4.99

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